It has been an incredible journey, and the way it has been captured at the NDP over the years is to be commended.

Our parade continues to feature new and advancing technology each time, denoting how we will always have a firm hand on the future.

It gives us a chance to appreciate our capabilities, especially in defending our nation, to celebrate our rich cultural heritage in song and dance, and to reaffirm the need to stand together and share and help each other.

Nothing can be more heartfelt, or tug at one's heartstrings the same way.

The fireworks display at the end comes as an explosion of light showing us the way forward, the infinite possibilities if we all apply ourselves as one to the tasks ahead.

We must continue to innovate and forge a steel-like grip on what we have managed, adding to it to ensure it can never be broken, regardless of the challenges posed from time to time internally and externally.

The urge to reminisce will be strong as we remember the parades of the past.

But as we hurtle towards SG100, many of us who have witnessed it all so far will no longer be around. It is time for a younger generation to take over and keep the flag flying.